Logic Goats

A white, gold and grey coloured mechanical goats sitting on a green and blue exhibit table.

In front of a large windows with white slat blinds, sits a green, black, blue and white exhibit that has a display table enclosed in perspex at the front and an information panel at the back. There are three mechanical goats on the table.

Logic gates communicate 'NOT', 'AND' and XOR (exclusive OR) output signals.

How it works

Press a series of hoof-pedals to make three goats nod their heads in various patterns representing: ‘AND’, ‘NOT’, and ‘Exclusive OR’ signals.

Things to try or ask around the exhibit

The goats are working as logic gates. One is a NOT gate. One is an AND gate. One is an XOR (exclusive OR) gate. Can you work out which goat's head represents which logic gate?

Background

These nodding goats know how many hoof-pedals you are pushing. These goats are acting as logic gates (switches that follow rules). By connecting logic gates together, large amounts of information can be stored, altered and retrieved.

Modern electronics relies on microscopic logic gates to process information by turning electrical signals on and off. You can find them in such things as digital watches, phones and computers.